Customer Reviews

I, Judas

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The idea of telling the world most famous story from the point of view of the most hated character in history is brave and good. Judas, the man Dante put in the last and most hideous circle of hell -that destined for the worst traitors- is here just a man, but not a mediocre man. By the time when Jesus was already preaching, Israel was in political turmoil (hasn't it always been?). Several political factions were conspiring against Roman rule. Of them, the zealots were one of the most radical.

Judas, apparently, was a member of this group and, simplifying Caldwell's plot, seems to have sincerely taken Jesus as the future King of Israel. This he would accomplish by political and revolutionary action. As Jesus refuses to take real action to depose the Romans, Judas gets disappointed and finally betrays the man he thought would lead them to victory, but instead kept on saying strange things, uncomprehensible for a man of action like Judas. I think no one can take away from Caldwell (a writer I don't really like) the merit of having written the story from Judas's point of view, in a reasonable and plausible plot. Just for that, it is worth reading it.

The story of Jesus as seen through the eyes of his disciple Judas Iscariot. Heavy emphasis on the politics surrounding the minestry, betrayal and death of Jesus Christ. The well intentioned Judas is, himself, betrayed because of his very human nature.

Anyone who enjoys reading, fascinated with Christianity, or simply is Christian themself will take pleasure from this detailed, descriptive, accurate depiction of the Life and Death of Jesus Christ. While the termonology might take you off guard at first, and while I agree an previous understanding of the segmentation of Judea and the way in which it was positioned under Roman rule during the life of Christ can help, there is no requirement to take an apprecation from "I, Judas." Personally, at a time in my life when the world did not make much self, this book was one of the first things to interest me in the Person of Jesus Christ, and since then I have become a deep and committed Christian, and a future priests. The authors are in my deepest thanks and gratitude.

This is definitely not the most exciting book around. It's not going to have to staying up late to finish it, eagerly turning the next page. But it will get you thinking.
I love reading historical novels of this kind (especially with a religious or philosophical theme) that look to put a new slant on common beliefs and that get me thinking about things or relating a little better to historical or religious figures. I found this to be one of those novels.
However, although there is a lot of great information in this story and the authors have given a passionate and sympathetic insight into the life of one of Christianity's greatest "villians", it's important that readers remember this is an interpretation of events intermingled with opinion. I don't think this would be the best book for someone who is not familiar with the Greek scriptures. It would be easy to mistake a lot of the authors' conjecture for fact. Some points that are raised during the book though are very insightful and I recommend this book for all Christians, especially those faithfully submitting themselves to the teachings of their church instead of the teachings of the bible. The repeated insistence by Jesus himself that he is not God but God's son is one such point and I applaud the authors for highlighting this. That they also raise the question of Jesus' true birth date, a long held misnomer for Christians who celebrate it on Dec 25, is another good point.
Bottom line, this book would have got more stars from me if it wasn't such a slow, dull read for three-quarters of the novel. It did pick up speed towards the end though and so it's worth struggling through.

Soberbia obra en la que la autora recrea los acontecimientos de ese tiempo y lugar con una narrativa vigorosa, fresca, estimulante, mística y hasta mágica.
Lo disfruté muchísimo; si no sabes inglés la edición en español se disfruta tanto o más.

This book will bring the whole story of Jesus to life in full living color. Jess Stearn and Taylor Caldwell are excellent at telling this story so you can't put it down. Brings Jesus alive and renews your spark and passion for who he really was. This book puts Jesus and the apostles, Lazarus, Mary and the rest in full three D. I highly recommend it. Don't let the title disuade you. When you are done, your faith in this story will have vibrant color and real historical value. Read it!

A Keeper, but there are transcribed words that show that this book is colored by a person who added to the manuscript perhaps and during the middle ages most likely. Not sure I can accept this as original work, but interesting to read.

it's a good story. and i like the fact that we are told the story from Judas' point of view. you get to see the politics surrounding christ and you see that judas isn't evil, just a man, a patriot. but the writing style is boring, slow, and dull.